Winter Ale | Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

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Notes / Commercial Description:
The one thing we all need on a dark winter night is a beer to help us forget about the cold and remind us that sunny days lie ahead. Not too dark, but evenly brewed with spices and malts, making it a solid winter warmer.

First off, who is this Captain Lawrence? Let's see... James Lawrence, born 1781 in Burlington, NJ... studied law but joined the U.S. Navy in 1798... rose through the ranks having seen a good amount of action... died of wounds incurred in battle aboard the USS Chesapeake on June 4th, 1814 just 2 months after being promoted to Captain... quoted as having said "Don't give up the ship. Fight her till she sinks." as he was carried below deck... in addition to being memorialized in the naming of 5 U.S. ships, many places are also named after him including Captain Lawrence Street in Lawrence, MA

Deep mahogany in color, and clear, beneath a rocky head of yellowed white, it offers a gently fruity aroma backed by softly caramels and toasty malts. In the mouth it's medium to medium-light in body and gently crisp with a fine-bubbled, slightly moderate carbonation. The flavor is richer than the aroma suggests with notes of milk chocolate, golden caramel, toffee, and toasted bread. A restrained spiciness rounds it out along with a median bitterness and low-level leafy and grassy hops. It finishes mainly dry, lingering with some residual malt that's both caramels and subtly chocolatey, giving way to leafy and earthy Goldings, and then a gentle dusting of spice.

While it may not impress in girth, it definitely impresses in refinement! The subtle spiciness is magnificent, adding just an edge of liveliness to an otherwise fairly straight-forward but nicely done English-style brown ale. Rounded, balanced, polished, and drinkable!

English brown ale? I know northern browns like Newcastle can be a little fruity, but this is practically juicy. Winter warmer IMO. Anyways, it's a tasty beer. I'm not usually a big winter warm fan, but this has a great balance of easters and bready malt. Underneath the cherry and strawberry notes is a blend of light caramel syrup and toasty bread crust. There's a hint of earthy hops in the finish, which makes this a clean, well-rounded winter beer. Check it out. It's just a step ahead of many American winter warmer-type beers. It's just a little more crisp and complex.

Pours a crystal clear copper color with a brownish hue. The tight head is short and settles into a light cap.

The aroma is doughy and has notes of brown bread. Perhaps some black pepper and tea like scents. Not much "wintery spice" in the nose.

The taste is quite bready and has some toasted notes. There is some lemony tea like flavors to go along with an earthy spice. Can't quite pick out the specific spice but overall it is bitter. Perhaps a touch of cinnamon as it warms.

The feel is light to moderate with prickly carbonation. Starts off sweet on the palate but finishes with an earthy bitterness. Drinks fairly easy.

Growler from Whole Foods in Ridge Hill. A nice clear light chestnut brown with a little carbonation streaming up my glass. A nice amount of lace as well. Smell is front loaded with malts and toffee. Big wave of spices as well. Nutmeg is the bigger player, with peppery holiday spiciness that flows back into a mild fruitiness. Taste is malty and full of toasted and nutty nuances. Spices are well done and take a good nutty brown ale and transform it into a top tier holiday session ale. Finish is dry with a crisp earthy hop bitterness. A light mineral sourness that gives a nod to and good English nut brown ale. Feel is light and crisp with a mild effervescence that is perfect. A wonderful addition to the holiday beer world. The toasted and spiced facets of this one will lend itself well to many holiday and winter meals.